New pope elected as white smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel

Irish Independent

08-05-2025

Key updates
Day 2: So what happens today?
Conclave: Inside the time-honoured secret election to choose the next leader of Catholic Church
How long was the longest conclave? Facts about the secret voting to elect a pope
Papal conclave begins – what is it and how long might it take?
2 minutes ago
White smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE
6 minutes ago
White smoke billows from Sistine Chapel, signalling new pope elected
White smoke appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday, signalling that the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals meeting in a secret conclave have elected a new pope.
Today 09:22 AM
Today 07:22 AM
Second black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel - but it's no surprise
The second round of Conclave voting this morning concluded shortly before midday with the second black smoke, meaning that the Cardinals have yet to agree on a succesor to the late Pope.
The result of this morning's two votes came as no suprise to observers.
The complex nature of this vote, the fact that the Cardinals are emphatically divided, doctrinally speaking, and the relative 'Conclave inexperience' of the 110 'new' Cardinals appointed by Pope Francis all combine to make this a very tricky vote which will need a careful and subtle series of negotiations to be resolved.
At least in one thing, the Cardinals appear to have upped their work rate, holding two votes in little under three and a half hours this morning.
Yesterday's opening vote, on its own, took three hours and 17 minutes. Of course, all sorts of procedural aspects of the first vote, including a 45-minute meditation address to the Cardinals from Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, after the Sistine doors had been shut, made yesterday's vote much longer.
For now, based on this morning's showing, it looks like the Cardinals will be able to survive a regime that involves one voting session and two votes, every morning and evening.
Replenished by a decent lunch at their Domus Santa Marta residence and perhaps refreshed by a little after dinner nap, the Cardinals return to the fray this afternoon when the smoke is again expected to be black.
Indeed, it will come as a major surprise, if this conclave does not run into next week, such is its complexity.
Paddy Agnew in Rome
Today 07:04 AM
In Pictures: Black smoke billows
Smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a successor of late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Today 07:03 AM
'Papabili' and geographic diversity
A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries are involved in the 2025 ballot, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave - growth that reflects efforts by Francis to extend the global reach of the Church.
While no clear favourite has emerged, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the front-runners.
If it becomes obvious that neither can win, votes are expected to shift to other contenders, with the electors possibly coalescing around geography, doctrinal affinity or common languages.
Other "papabili" - potential papal candidates in Italian - are France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost, Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Filipino Pablo Virgilio David.
During the conclave, cardinals are sequestered from the world and sworn to secrecy, their phones and computers confiscated, while they are shuttled between the Sistine Chapel for voting and two Vatican guesthouses to sleep and dine.
Before the conclave began, some cardinals offered different assessments of what they are looking for in the next pope. Francis' relatively liberal pontificate was marked by bitter divisions between traditionalists and modernisers.
Some have urged continuity with his vision of greater openness and reform, while others long to turn the clock back and embrace fading traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured papacy.
Reuters
Today 06:11 AM
So - what happens now?
Black smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signalling that the cardinals locked in a Conclave have not yet chosen a new pope to guide the Roman Catholic Church.
Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square waited for smoke to pour from the flue on the chapel's roof, which it did shortly before noon (1000 GMT).
The 133 cardinals under the age of 80 began the secret process on Wednesday, shut away in complete isolation as they pick a successor to the late Pope Francis.
They burn the ballot papers and mix them with chemicals to show how proceedings are going - black signalling no pope and white announcing a new pontiff.
The cardinals held an initial inconclusive vote on Wednesday evening. They are scheduled to hold up to two more ballots on Thursday afternoon, with possible smoke signals expected some time after 5:30 p.m. (1530 GMT).
The red-hatted "princes of the Church" will keep on voting up to four times a day until someone wins a two-thirds majority.
No pope in modern times has been elected on the first attempt, so Wednesday's black smoke was widely expected. But given recent history, a final result is possible from the second day.
Francis, the first pope from Latin America, was elected on the evening of the second day of the last conclave, held in 2013, as was his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2005.
Today 05:59 AM
Today 05:58 AM
Today 05:54 AM
BREAKING: Black smoke signals no pope elected in Thursday morning conclave votes
Black smoke appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday, signalling that cardinals meeting in a secret conclave did not elect a new pope during their two morning ballots.
The cardinals held an initial inconclusive vote on Wednesday evening.
They now hold two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon daily until someone wins the necessary two-thirds majority to become the next pontiff.
Reuters
Today 05:44 AM
Ellen Coyne: The Irish Catholic Church has the potential to become more politically relevant than it has been in years
At one Sunday mass in Dublin in January this year, the congregation were invited to pray for politicians.
At the time, the newly formed Irish Government was just getting up and running. Soon, it would be plunged into weeks of indolence by the exasperating speaking rights row.
But, at the time, this particular parish still had faith that ministers would be far more consequential in the short term than they have managed to be, Ellen Coyne writes.
Ellen Coyne: The Irish Catholic Church has the potential to become more politically relevant than it has been in years
At one Sunday mass in Dublin in January this year, the congregation were invited to pray for politicians. At the time, the newly formed Irish Government was just getting up and running. Soon, it would be plunged into weeks of indolence by the exasperating speaking rights row. But, at the time, this particular parish still had faith that ministers would be far more consequential in the short term than they have managed to be.
www.independent.ie
Today 05:19 AM
Today 04:49 AM
Today 04:49 AM
Four rounds of voting can take place on Thursday
Roman Catholic cardinals were set to have returned to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, resuming voting for a successor to the late Pope Francis in the largest and most geographically diverse conclave in history.
The cardinals began the heavily ritualised and secret process of choosing a new leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics on Wednesday, locked away in complete isolation from the world.
In the evening, black smoke billowed from a chimney on the roof of the chapel, signalling an inconclusive first ballot.
On Thursday, they were expected to begin voting from around 9 a.m. (0700 GMT), according to what the Vatican said ahead of the meeting.
White smoke would signal the election of a new Church leader to replace Francis, who died last month. If the first vote on Thursday is decisive, the election could be announced as early as around 11 a.m. (0900 GMT). If not, smoke signals would come later in the day.
No pope in modern times has been elected on the first attempt, so Wednesday's black smoke was widely expected. But given recent history, a final result is possible from the second day, when up to four rounds of voting can take place.
The red-hatted "princes of the Church" are due to hold two votes in the morning session and two in the afternoon, continuing in coming days until one man has secured a majority of at least two-thirds.
A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries are involved in the ballot, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013 - growth that reflects efforts by Francis to extend the global reach of the Church.
Argentine-born Francis was elected in 2013 at the end of the second day, after five rounds of voting. In 2005 it took two days but only four votes to pick Germany's Benedict XVI.
While no clear favourites have emerged, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican's number two under Francis, and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the front-runners.
Parolin has been described as "Clark Kent without the Superman part", and Tagle has been described as the "Asian Pope Francis".
If it becomes obvious that neither can win, votes are expected to shift to other contenders, with the electors possibly coalescing around geography, doctrinal affinity or common languages.
Other potential "papabili" - papal candidates in Italian - are France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost and Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
During the conclave, cardinals are sequestered from the world and sworn to secrecy, their phones and computers confiscated, while they are shuttled between the Sistine Chapel for voting and two Vatican guesthouses to sleep and dine.
In recent days, they have offered different assessments of what they are looking for in the next pope. Francis' relatively liberal pontificate was marked by bitter divisions between traditionalists and modernisers.
While some urged for continuity with his vision of greater openness and reform, others longed to turn the clock back and embrace traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured pontificate.
Reuters
Today 03:59 AM
Today 03:18 AM
Today 03:17 AM
Could there be a Pope announced today?
The largest and most geographically diverse conclave in history was due to resume on Thursday, with Roman Catholic cardinals returning to the Sistine Chapel to try to settle a wide-open papal election.
The red-hatted "princes of the Church" started the heavily ritualised process of choosing a new leader for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics on Wednesday. In the evening, black smoke billowed from a specially-installed chimney visible from St Peter's Square to signal an inconclusive ballot.
No pope in modern times has been elected on the first attempt, so that outcome was widely expected. But given recent history, a final result is possible from the second day, when up to four rounds of voting can take place.
A record 133 cardinals from 70 countries are involved in the secret ballot, up from 115 from 48 nations in the last conclave in 2013 - growth that reflects efforts by the late Pope Francis to extend the reach of the Church during his 12-year tenure.
Argentine-born Francis, who died last month, was elected at the end of the second day, after five rounds of voting. Eight years earlier, it also took two days but only four votes to elevate Germany's Benedict XVI to the papacy.
White smoke would signal the election of a new Church leader.
There are no clear favourites, although Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican's number two under Francis, and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the front-runners.
If it becomes obvious that neither can obtain the necessary two-thirds majority, votes are expected to shift to other contenders, with the electors possibly coalescing around geography, doctrinal affinity or common languages.
Other potential "papabili" - papal candidates in Italian - are France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, American Robert Prevost and Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
During the conclave, cardinals are sequestered from the world and sworn to secrecy, their phones and computers confiscated, while they are shuttled between the Sistine Chapel for voting and two Vatican guesthouses to sleep and dine.
In recent days, they have offered different assessments of what they are looking for in the next pope, following a relatively liberal pontificate marked by bitter divisions between traditionalists and modernisers.
While some urged for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, others longed to turn the clock back and embrace traditions. Many have indicated they want a more predictable, measured pontificate.
Alvise Armellini, Reuters
Today 02:50 AM
The Indo Daily: Conclave - White smoke and dark secrets
In centuries past, conclave meant cardinals that were literally locked away until a new pope had been elected. Today, it's the world that's locked out - awaiting the unmistakable white smoke.
Deep inside the Sistine Chapel cardinals are casting secret ballots, in a process shrouded in secrecy and tradition. But in the Vatican of 2025, even ancient rites come wrapped in modern convention and controversy. So how is a modern pope elected? Why are phones confiscated? Who really pulls the strings? And who is the cardinal who has been banned from Conclave?
In today's Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle is joined by journalist Sarah MacDonald and Michael Kelly (Director of Public Affairs for Aid to the Church in Need) to look at an election where faith and political intrigue collide.
Listen to the podcast here, or wherever you get your podcasts:
The Indo Daily: Conclave - White smoke and dark secrets
In centuries past, conclave meant cardinals that were literally locked away until a new pope had been elected. Today, it's the world that's locked out - awaiting the unmistakable white smoke.
www.independent.ie
Today 02:47 AM
Cut-off from the world... but on livestream
Following a centuries-old tradition, cardinals are cut off from all communications with the outside world while they take part in the anonymous voting process.
In a livestream from the Sistine Chapel, the electors could each be seen taking an oath pledging secrecy on their vote and what happens at conclave.
At around 4.45pm UK time, a Vatican official declared 'extra omnes', the Latin phrase telling non-cardinals to leave, with the large brown doors of the chapel shut shortly after.
The livestream cut to crowds in St Peter's Square in front of St Peter's Basilica, some of whom waved when they spotted they were on camera.
This conclave is thought to be one of the most diverse of any meeting of cardinals before, representing some 70 countries and hailing from places such as Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga which had not had a cardinal before.
Pope Francis had appointed some 108 of the 133 cardinals who will choose his successor.
The next pope must be someone who can bring together disparate groups within the Catholic Church, an emeritus professor of Catholic theology at the University of Bristol said.
Professor Gavin D'Costa said: 'This conclave is more universal in representative terms than any other in the history of the Church, even if it is also lacking in balance – having more European cardinals than any other single group, but with a dwindling Catholic population in Europe.
'The priority will be to select a pope who embodies the common good, who can unite disparate groups within Catholics, and provide a vision of the Church that can be conducive to peace, co-operation and justice in a broken world.'
Francis was vocal on politics, speaking out against war and climate change, as he urged more focus on the poor and downtrodden of the world.
His funeral last month drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, including world leaders.